Jamaican Easter Spice Bun — Highly Spiced Jamaican bread, soft, tender studded with raisins and fruits. Absolutely delightful anytime!
This is the time of the year, when Christians abstain from meat and flock towards bread and meat-free goods. I am happy to say I’m one of those Christians. Growing up, during the Lenten Season, especially on Fridays we would only eat bread and water until sunset. Hot cross buns were only reserved for Good Friday and my siblings and I waited for them impatiently. It was the highlight of our Lenten Season. 
Gosh! I miss those days… I always do have a fondness for spicy bread — this Jamaican Spice Bun is no exception. The good thing is it’s eaten year round. However, the Easter Spice Buns are made extra special- sweeter, and studded with dried fruit for the Lenten Season and especially on Good Friday. This is the Jamaican sweeter take on the ever popular hot cross bun.
You can find as many different adaptions to the classic recipe as there are cooks – made with or without yeast. I’m ashamed to say I totally went overboard – trying out different variations and they are all worth making at home. 
My preferred version has a modern twist to it — Guinness — substituting the liquid ingredients of milk for something a little tastier… Guinness Stout. Giving it an incredibly rich brown color. This one below is sans – without Guinness. 
This is made with half Guinness and half milk. 
For those that have never baked with Guinness I think you are in for a treat! Guinness contains a lot of complex flavors and definitely adds depth of flavor to baked goods with mild notes of cocoa and a strong malt flavor- making this bread truly unique and delightful. This amazing bread takes about 15 minutes to prep and is studded with raisins dried fruit. And wonderfully fragrant spices from nutmeg, cinnamon allspice, together with molasses and browning sauce. Yes! Quite a flavorful bread – sure to tantalize your taste buds. 
Traditionally, this is served with hard cheese or you can make a cheese sandwich.
Notes
- Browning is a Caribbean Sauce that is used to darken sauces, stews, or meat and even baked goods. If this is too dark for your liking then you might want to cut back on the browning – or eliminate completely.
Looking for a light airy Hot Cross Bun then check this out!
Hot Cross Buns Recipe
Enjoy!!!!
Watch How To Make It
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Jamaican Easter Spiced Bun
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (or 50 grams)
- ¼ cup honey (or 85 grams)
- 1 teaspoon browning.
- ½ Tablespoon Molasses
- 1- teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 cup Guinness Stout
- 1 egg
- 1- cup dried fruits cherries, raisin
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1/2- tablespoon cinnamon
- 2 1/2 Teaspoon spice combination Nutmeg- (3/4 teaspoon), Cinnamon ( 1 teaspoon) and ( 3/4 teaspoon) all spice)
- 1 cup cherries optional to top bun
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan with baking spray; set aside
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the following ingredients: brown sugar, granulated sugar, honey, browning, Molasses, vanilla, melted butter Guinness Stout and egg
- In another bowl combine flour, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon allspice and salt, lightly mix. Then throw in the dried fruits
- Then combine wet and dry ingredients until thoroughly
- Scrape down sides.
- Pour mixture into prepared loaf pan , add cherries on top if desired – bake for about 60-75 minutes or until a tooth inserted comes out clean.
- Let it cool before slicing.
Nutrition Information:
Debbie says
I usually buy the shop bought version but not any more! This is SO much better. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. Looks amazing and it tastes amazing!
ImmaculateBites says
No more store-bought! Totally Agree. Thanks for taking the time to let me know .
Kathleen Henry says
This is one of the best recipes. I’m from the Caribbean and it sounds authentic. I’m making it now for Easter 2016.
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Kathleen! Do let me know how it works out for you. Happy Cooking
Femme says
Hi immaculate,
Since I came across your site some years ago, my jollof rice became worthy of the name JOLLOF. I was given a Jamaican spice bread by a friend and loved it to so much I decided to look for a recipe.
I was a bit wary about most of the recipes online on till I came across this one on Pinterest. The picture looked so good and then I saw it was by you. I am sold.
Will be making this tomorrow.
You recipes are amazing.
ImmaculateBites says
Yay! Femme. Glad to hear you are going to make this bun on the weekend. Thanks for the vote of Confidence. Do tell how it works for you. Happy cooking.
Sara | Belly Rumbles says
I can only imagine how glorious this smells when it is baking!
ImmaculateBites says
Sara, the smell is Heavenly!!!
Charstar says
Great recipe I look forward to trying it.
Are you able to put this recipe in grams?
ImmaculateBites says
Absolutely! Recipe updated.
Charstar says
Thank you so much ☺
I’m making for family today
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
I have actually been thinking of making gread with Guinness so I am quite excited to see your spiced bun version with it it. Looks lush.
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Bintu. You are going to totally dig it!
Monika says
Can I use rum instead of Guinness?
ImmaculateBites says
You sure can. If you can handle the alcohol content.
Therese says
Can’t wait to try this!! What is browning and where can l get it??
ImmaculateBites says
Browning is burnt sugar- found in most Caribbean or International Super Markets. Lately they are making an appearance it some major super markets depending on neighborhood. If you can’t find it just replace it with molasses.
Therese says
Just made this, did not have honey but still turned out very good!! Thanks for another great recipe
felicia says
Can I use Brandy instead of Guiness or is it a must to use guiness?
ImmaculateBites says
No, it’s not a must to use Guinness- its optional. Brandy would work as well- but you might have to dilute it, according to preference.
Nangobi Phoebe says
Thanks for sharing Immy
Shreyashi says
I have never baked with Guinness. So I will have to keep this recipe in my repertoire to test out the flavours. I will skip the browning though as I don’t consume beef.
I love how rich this looks. Yummy!
ImmaculateBites says
Shreyashi, You are going to love baking with Guinness.
Paula says
Sheryashi you can make your own natural browning by using burnt sugar.
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks for sharing!!!
John Storeys says
Lovely bread! I can’t wait to reproduce it 🙂
John Storeys says
A thin slice, a cuppa coffee and I can enjoy my afternoon reading <3
ImmaculateBites says
You sure would John.
Sarah - The Charming Detroiter says
I love the idea of adding the Guinness to this! It is such a beautiful dish and it looks tasty too. It would be a great hostess gift to bring to a dinner party too during this season! Thanks for sharing!
ImmaculateBites says
Great Idea Sarah! I usually offer them during this season to family and friends .
AiPing | Curious Nut says
What a gorgeous bread, Imma. I don’t take alcohol so I’ll have to go without the Guinness. 🙂
ImmaculateBites says
Get it anyway you can AiPing.
Dwight says
Alcohol evaporates at relatively low temperatures so after baking with guinness or any alciholic product the only thing left in the finished baked priduct are the flavours assocuated with the alcololic addituve. All accohol is gone.
imma africanbites says
Thanks for sharing some helpful insights, Dwight.
Sara says
This sounds incredible!
Janis says
I make the all the time for my customers. Check out my Facebook page
Caribbean Queen of Kent
michele says
I can’t wait to try this…. guinness in my bread? ITs like a present sent from heaven! Your photos always make me want to cook immediately and this recipe is no exception! Pinned it!